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Eight Second Cowboy by Piper Kay

It’s Rodeo Roundup time in Houston. Undefeated bull riding champion, Matt Stevens, runs into longtime nemesis, Lance Loskey. Matt is intense, his focus and drive sustain him, but seeing Lance with his carefree attitude rages a plethora of feelings to the surface. This mellow cowboy is in position for more than just the championship after a freak accident paves Lance’s way. This is an opportunity for bull riding opponents to embrace their destiny. Will they succumb to fate, or will stubborn pride end the 8 second ride in tragedy?

So what did I think?

This book has heaps of strong reviews (on Goodreads), averaging 4.4 stars as I write my own review. I think I must have missed something here because, although I liked the story, there were quite a number of things that I found off putting. I would suggest you check out the reviews of others before deciding on this book based solely on my review because it seems I might be the odd one out (I haven’t yet read the other reviews as I never read them before writing my own review but I will check some out later to see what others picked up on that escaped me). Anyway…

Firstly, I did like reading the book, the story wasn’t bad and it was nice way to while away some time. It wasn’t earth shattering, just a story about a guy who discovers he has unexpected feelings for another man after never having felt that way about a guy before. In this gay-for-you/enemies-to-lovers story, Matt is fearful of coming out on the rodeo circuit which threatens his relationship with Lance. I just had a few minor issues that prevented this book from reaching over 3 stars for me.

I think the main thing that I struggled with from the beginning was the first person, present tense POV. Instead of it providing a deep connection to the character of Matt, I found it somewhat uncomfortable reading. Probably just a personal thing…

Another pet peev of mine is the use of some language that appeared in this book, the sort of language that I find unromantic or lacking in true passion. There was overuse of the word ‘pucker’ and I didn’t like statements like “I squirt my hot juices..” or “..several little squirts, and then a huge discharge..” – it all sounded too clinical and like a festering wound!

At one point, Matt makes a confession about something traumatic in his past. I just didn’t feel the emotion which was similar to other parts of the story where the conversations appeared a little stilted without a natural flow. Plus I found it unbelievable that a bull-rider not only had never ridden a horse but was scared of them!

So all-in-all, it was okay for a quick read, so long as you enjoy the first person present tense and aren’t as adverse to some of the language as I am! And it was only $0.99 so maybe I shouldn’t complain so much. :